This episode is a little different.

After more than 2 months away from the mic, Katie is back... not with a relaunch, a shiny new project, or a perfectly wrapped-up plan, this time! Just the truth.

In this solo ep, Katie shares what's been happening behind the scenes;

• Leaving a career she loved
• Navigating burnout
• Trying to parent well
• Show up for her horses
• Advocate for her son
• and... quietly wondering whether she'd somehow let the Equestrian Mums Club down along the way

But somewhere in between the ENDLESS(!) poo picking, playing stickle bricks and blowing up paddling pools... there was an unexpected realisation:

Community isn't something one person carries.
It's something we carry together.

In this episode, we're talking about;

• What happens when your energy runs out before your purpose does
• The impossible standards so many equestrian parents place on themselves
• Why stepping back isn't the same as giving up
• How burnout can make you question your identity
• The messages that quietly reminded Katie what EMC was always meant to be
• Why this isn't a relaunch... just a step in the right direction

If you've ever felt like everyone else is holding it together better than you...

If you've ever looked at the gaps and forgotten everything you've achieved...

Or if you're simply in a season where life feels heavier than usual.

This episode is for you.

🎧 Press play. You're among friends.

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P.S. If this episode resonated with you, there are a few lovely ways you can help keep the Equestrian Mums Club growing:

💙 Follow or rate the podcast
💙 Share this episode with another equestrian parent
💙 Join the conversation over on our social channels

Every listen, recommendation and quiet show of support helps keep EMC independent, accessible and rooted in real lived experience.

Thank you for being here... and, perhaps more importantly, thank you for reminding us that none of us has to carry this alone.

Ever stood at the end of a hose thinking… this is absolutely chucking it away?! 💦

This week, we’re joined by Belle Richardson - horse mum, mum of boys, problem-solver, and co-founder of SealStop. She's turned a very real yard frustration into a simple idea... that’s now helping save water across the equestrian world and beyond.

From NHS radiography to muddy gateways and flooded yards, Belle’s story is one of spotting a problem in real life... and then actually doing something about it.

This episode is for you if…

• you’ve ever winced at how much water gets wasted on the yard

• you’re juggling horses, kids, and a never-ending to-do list

• you love a practical fix that actually makes life easier

• or you’ve got an idea bubbling away but no “perfect” time to start

We chat about:

• Belle’s unexpected journey from radiographer to inventor

• Why the best ideas often come from frustration, not funding

• The reality of water use in horse care (it’s more than you think)

• Building a business around family life... not the other way round

• and how small, community-led ideas can create really BIG impact

Plus, we obviously address the honest juggle of making it all work when life is already full… and why waiting for the “right moment” might be the thing holding you back.

Because sometimes the smallest changes - a tweak, a valve, a rethink - can make the biggest difference.

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Pssst! If you love this episode, share it with a fellow horse mum who’s always last to turn the tap off! 😉

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Want to know more about SealStop? You can visit their website here.

Want to see more from Belle? Check out the SealStop Instagram here.

What does it really look like to raise a rider?

In this episode, we sit down with Laura Cadwallader - the mum behind @at_home_with_ivy_and_ponies - to talk about the beautiful, chaotic, emotional reality of pony life with children. From babies on the boob whilst showing(!) to the tough decisions no parent wants to make, this is the unfiltered truth behind growing up in the horse world.

Because raising children around horses isn’t just a hobby… it’s a lifestyle. And one that asks a lot of us as parents - especially when you might not have caught the horse bug yourself!

In this episode, we cover:

• How riding becomes part of family life from the very beginning

• The emotional reality of pony ownership (and letting go)

• The financial juggle behind the scenes of “pony life”

• Navigating risk, safety, and parental instinct

• Feeling like an outsider... and finding your people

• Why horses shape resilient, empathetic humans

• The power of community when you’re figuring it out as you go

If you’re in it, thinking about it, or watching it unfold… remember, you’re not alone.

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P.s. If this episode resonated, you can support EMC in a few simple ways:

• Follow or rate the podcast

• Share the episode with someone who might need it

• Or support the project with a 'coffee', if you’re able... ☕

Every listen, share, and quiet show of support helps keep EMC independent, accessible, and rooted in real experience.

Thank you for being here. We hope that this continues to be a space of real resource, relatability and joy for you.